What would be the cost of getting custom window treatments done?

Q. I have a window (or set of windows) in my family room that takes up a whole wall. I don't have the exact measurements, but it's close to 84" high and 108" long. I want to get curtain/drapes/ window treatments (whatever they are called) made. I know that a major cost factor will be type of fabric that I select plus hardware, but can someone give me a price range so I can start budgeting? Just to make it easy, let say I select a fabric that is $20 per yard.

A. The best thing for you to do would be to:
#1 get the exact measurements for your window.
#2 pick a company/designer that makes custome window treatments

They will then be able to help you pick what's best. They can price it out and you can contact them once you have the money.

Any ideas on how to come up with window treatments fast and cheap for my new house that has tons of windows?

Q. It is an old cottage with lots of charm. I plan on painting it all light, and sanding the wood floors light, so I want the curtains to be light too.

I need ideas for window treatments that are affordable, but creative. This house is covered with lots of windows, and I don't know what I'm gonna do.

A. You know how people throw the sheets up well i have revised it since it is a cottage style Sheet's are a wonderful window treatment amd they already have a slot for the rod this is what i did for the mean time and the mean time is been like 5 years already ..lol .....UKAY i bought some cheap sheets at a discount store with flowers and plaid bright soft colors. then i went to my local harware store bought some dowels (round wood rods)usally 3-4' tall 5/8-1/2" and if i had a larger window i used a closet rod and cup hooks to hold them and this is the afforable but creative treatment. In the kitchen i divided the window and covered half and the other half i draped the top rod so i could have some sunlight in. Oh yes i used material glue for the edges. I didn't want to sew. It was fun easy and afforable and I am into victorian look so it was chic to me .

What kinds of window treatments can you hang when you have wood blinds?

Q. I am trying to decorate my living room, specifically I am looking to add window treatments. I have wood blinds (medium oak color) and wood trim (same color). Everything else in the room is really neautral - all khaki. I am wondering what kinds of things I can do for window treatments. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

A. Sounds like we have the same blinds. The wood is so beautiful you really shouldn't cover it up. We put up simple valances in a neutral color ( close to khaki ) so when the blinds were open they were hidden and we had an open view. When they are closed you get the full effect of the wood. It would be a shame to hide it. It took us a few days to get used to just valances, but it works. Also it is cleaner. Less dust and less curtain cleaning.

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How much does it cost on average to have a 2 story house (exterior) painted?

Q. We just bought a house and need to get the exterior painted. Should we do it ourselves, or hire a professional? It's a basic 2 story house. Not big at all.

A. Hello,
I am a contractor and I might be able to answer this question more acurate. There are a few aspects to determine a price of an exterior job.
1) how big is the home? ( yours though is a small home)
2) How much damage is done to boards( If wooden exterior) and/or paint).
I usually charge somthing between $1000- $3000 depending on the scope of the job.
Some people feel uncomfortable to work on the ladders;If you have worked on the ladders before and feel comfortable you can do it, if not you should look for scaffolding systems. Make sure that you prime and caulk boards property to prevent early water damage/decay to the bords. recently home depot ( BEHR) offers a new product that one coat of it does the job for prime and paint( Two in one).
If you decide to hire a professiional contractor, make sure he or she is licensed and have liablety insurance.
if you have any questions do not hesitate to e-mail me.
Best Regards
Nima

How much is a 5 gallon bucket of exterior paint?

Q. We are painting our trim on our house and was wondering the price range of a 5 gallon bucket of exterior paint. We are in Ohio but it doesnt seem like the prices would range a ton throughout the US. thanks in advance

A. Anywhere between $70 to $120 based on brand and quality. Behr premium plus is on the higher price range.

Check out homedepot.com and put in your zip code, select Paint on the main menu and choose Exterior Paint and Stain

Is there a way to coverup the harmful effects of exterior paint on interior walls?

Q. I painted my grandson's room with left over exterior paint to save $ and thought it would be more durable. Because of the strong smell it got me thinking it could possibly be harmful and so looked up info on the internet. I feel like such an idiot! Could I possibly cover it up with paneling?

A. At this point I think the best thing to do would be to leave it and make sure that you get good ventilation in the room for a while. The odor is from the solvents in the paint which will eventually evaporate. If you tried to cover them up, all you would be doing is slowing them down and spreading out the exposure over a longer period of time. Admittedly, the exposure at any given time would be lower but you would probably want to do something about the ventilation over that time period as well so it would only be making this take longer. If it's possible to keep the window open or at least cracked and run a fan blowing out the window, it will draw the odor out. If you have the option for your grandson not to sleep in there until the solvent odor is gone, that would be the safe thing to do.

As for calling ourself an idiot....don't. You are certianly not the first person to bring up this exact thing on this mesage board. You made a mistake but it shouldn't be a problem in the long run.

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Any site for bathroom design?

Q. hi, is there any good website to browse for small bathroom designs photos? coz we need to re-model our bathroom...thanks!

A. http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=ush-ans&va=bathroom+design&sz=
here's 1 **

I need wall color ideas for my bathroom?

Q. I'm going to paint the walls tomorrow and I still haven't got a clue what color I want! I don't mind going with bold colors like black or bright red, I just want it to look professional. Also, does anyone know of any easy techniques I can use to get an interesting texture on the walls? I'm up for any of your ideas. Include any accent colors or other bathroom design ideas. Keep in mind I've already put in new light fixtures, which are a soft yellow color.
Thanks in advance!

A. Why not try a really modern look for your bathroom, using black and lime-green. If your suite and tiles are white, this will keep the room fresh and bright, and won't look too dark. If I was using these 2 colors, I would use black as the main color, and lime green as the accent.

Black can be a difficult color to paint with, so you may want to try a dark brown or a dark gray instead, both of which will give dramatic, but sophisticated results.

With bold colors, plain flat walls would look best I think, but if you want to add some texture to your walls, a really easy way of doing it, is to just mix some builder's sand in with your paint. It comes out quite heavily textured with little lumps and bumps in it (sorry, it's quite hard to describe).

Bring out the lime-green accent with matching towels, shower curtain, bathmat etc. Some gorgeous green plants, and especially those long stalks of bamboo, would look great

Does anyone know where I can find design ideas for decorating a small toilet and bathroom on a budget?

Q. I have a small bathroom and toilet which I would like to decorate myself but have absolutely no design ideas. I am looking for some simple, attractive designs but everything on the web seems to be too plush and costly. Does anyone have any ideas as to where I can view photos of simple bathroom designs? I am looking mainly for ideas for decoration rather than replacement bathroom furniture. Alternatively, are there any people out there with good design skills who would be willing to offer me some design suggestions?

A. Check out ratemyspace.hgtv.com for some great ideas for small bathrooms.

Here are a couple small bathrooms that I thought were great.

http://ratemyspace.hgtv.com/SNC/ViewItem.aspx?pguid=6db6be3f-1720-4ba3-a081-999042c09b6b&itemguid=9dd68ca0-225e-4217-bad6-2143bf0d862e

http://ratemyspace.hgtv.com/SNC/ViewItem.aspx?pguid=6db6be3f-1720-4ba3-a081-999042c09b6b&itemguid=57100798-8c30-49bc-be2c-c30e8e7e6837

http://ratemyspace.hgtv.com/SNC/ViewItem.aspx?pguid=6db6be3f-1720-4ba3-a081-999042c09b6b&itemguid=6d880e5b-6be8-4242-afbf-d7af8f547ea5

Check places like Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, Linens and Things, Pottery Barn Outlet for your accessories. Bed Bath and Beyond has 20% off coupons quite often and wait for Target to have a sale. Good luck and have fun with it!

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Can you help me identify and locate an old home interior picture?

Q. I can remember almost 30 years ago my mother bought me a home interior picture that was in a very heavy metal frame with a rounded glass, the print was a small boy kneeling and praying into a beam shining down on him.
I know that I have seen the picture in some bibles and I would like to know the name of the print. I would also know how I might be able to buy the picture, frame, glass etc. that was purchased for me. I have tried the homeco and the home int. web site but without the name of the print I'm having no luck.

A. http://www.sonyaharrisgiftsandcollectibles.com/images/tn_Boy_Praying.jpg

is that the picture? You may also want to go to art.com and search praying

Finding out how much home interior is worth?

Q. I have some 70's era home interior and need to see if it is worth anything. I can't find anywhere to figure that out.

A. Look around your local antique dealers....many are dealing in the retro items now..ask them..it will give you a start, then you can price the piece accordingly if you wish to sell them. You can also google searches for items similar to what you have to see what people are asking for them. Just remember, you can ask what you want, but you might not get it, so there can be a large variance in the prices you see...take the middle ground to be safe.

does anyone know the name of a company that sold home interior wall structures in the 1970's?

Q. I have wall hangings (guitar and violin) from my grandparents. She thinks the name was "home interiors" or "home design". She also states that the salesman came to her house much like Pampered Chef does now. I just need the name of the company.

A. Home Interiors & Gifts, Inc.

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How do you stop cold air from attic vents from allowing cold air into the living area?

Q. I have a continious ridge vent, soffit vents, and gable vents in the attic.
The thing is with this house, the walls are not insulated. There is also a breathing space that runs from the attic to the basement on all sides.
My fear is that cold air can come through the walls or electricial outlets when my natural gas furnace sucks air. I wonder if I could block the breathing space that runs from the attic to the basement in the winter?

A. your house has to breathe i would insulate the attic floor and that should give you the results you want

Is blow-in insulation good for use between an attic floor and a second floor ceiling? If so what precautions?

Q. should be taken? There is no heating in the attic, but two chimney pass thru the entire house and attic to the roof. Are they a danger of fire or smoke or smoldering of the insulation? And the manufacturer warns of light fixtures recessed in the ceilings of the room below. How can one know without tearing up the entire attic floor where those fixtures exactly are?

A. Cellulose insulation does not settle. Blown Fiberglass does. Cellulose is also extremely fire-retardant and the bugs don't like it.

The main concern regarding the light fixtures, in as far as cellulose insulation, is that they can overheat and fail to function.

Your best course of action would be to remove the flooring in the attic. If you choose to replace it, be sure to fur out the ceiling joists so that you don't compact the insulation (whichever you decide to go with) and lose R-value.

My house was built in Los Angeles in 1906. I wish to to convert the attic to a bedroom?

Q. the attic to a bedroom with a bathroom including a shower and tub.. What changes to the foundation.and ceiling will I be required to make to satisfy the building codes and mitigate problems if there is an earthquake.

A. You need to find out if the house is a qualified Historical structure or property. If it is, I would not recommend you doing the remodel if you are on a tight schedule. If you have the time or it's not considered Preservation worthy, then you can proceed. Since the house already have an attic, the only thing that you really have to concern yourself with are the floor structure, shouldn't be a problem since the house will be conventionally framed. Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing will be huge, since you have to replace everything. Insulation and window exiting clearances needs to be considered as well.

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How much debt is too much when you want to apply for a home loan?

Q. I would like to apply for a home loan, but I have some credit card debt. I have good credit - never missed a payment, never been late, etc. I just don't know if having credit card debt will cause me to be declined.

A. The bank will add in your credit card dept along with any other loans or debts and will assess it against your income and the amount of your home loan will be estimated taking into account your ability to pay.

A bank will usually take the total amount of your credit card limit as your debt, not how much you've used of it. So, if you have a card limit of $30,000 but have only used up $1000 of it the bank will see it that your debt is $30,000, not the $1000. That's the downside. Banks won't usually decline you for a home loan just because you have a c/card. They work on your ability to pay your loan.

If possible, try and pay off your card and destroy it! Have a debit card instead, then you only have access to money that you have, not money that you don't have!

How does applying for a Home Loan Affect your credit score?

Q. I want to apply for Home Loan and see how much we qualify for. My question is that if we do not like the number and want to wait how will it affect our credit score if we decide to wait and save for a bigger down payment. I want to avail the $8000.00 tax credit. Does anybody know if it is an ongoing thing or it is only for the year 2009.

A. no not unless you apply for a home loan at several places. if too many lenders are pulling credit in a short period of time it can have an impact upon score.

But one or 2 every quarter is no big deal.

$8,000 tax credit right now is only good for purchased up thru 11/30/2009. There is no law yet that extends it past that.

What are the steps to buying a home via a va home loan?

Q. We're a military family, and I believe eligible for a VA home loan. We have about 30K in credit card debt, but are hoping to pay it off before applying for the loan. Just wanted some info on what to expect.

A. Got to get your VA certificate first, then apply like any other mortgage. I wouldn't use a VA home loan if you don't have to. You have to pay a funding fee ontop of your regular closing cost. But good luck.

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How do you clean outdoor furniture pads that are not removable?

Q. We have outdoor wicker furniture on our screened in porch. They have white cushions which have become dirty and stained from polen, cats, etc. Won't spot cleaning leave only patches whiter than the rest?

A. I am in the furniture industry and the cleaning will depend on what type of fabric the cushions are made out of. If they are micro fiber or durapella, you can use a very mild soap like neutrogena acne soap ( liquid ). You might also try to use a product called unbelievable. You should be able to get this at any type of cleaning supply store or even a carpet store. I have used it several times!! If you have a tag on the cushion, please let me know the brand of furniture and the cleaning code and I can get you the exact reccomendations from the manufacture.

Outdoor furniture question?

Q. I'm looking for outdoor furniture for the patio and have found a set that I really like and is reasonably priced. It is made of kiln-dried hardwood, not teak, so I am wondering how bad it is to leave some of it outdoors over the winter. We live in CT so winters can be bad here. While I will probably be able to store some of it indoors, I'm just not sure if we have room to move everything indoors for the winter. I would obviously cover everything with furniture covers if left outdoors, but it would likely sit in some snow at some point. Will it be destroyed? I'm going to look for other options if you all think it's a bad idea. Thanks in advance for your advice!
I would take it inside as I know that would extend the life of it, unfortunately, that just isn't an option for me...we just don't have room for it. We are trying to build a shed for some of it but the town is giving us grief...that's a whole other story though...so I'm not counting on that as a storage space as of now.

A. I would go ahead and get the furniture and then coat it with maritime epoxy.

What you do is take two seperate portions and mix them together and apply it with a brush. Once it hardens it forms a clear plastic like layer and will keep all of the moisture and water out. This stuff is used to seal wooden boats so the wood doesn't wear out from being in the water. It is fairly expensive, around $50-$100 a gallon so plan your job accordingly. If you've ever been to a restaurant or bar that has wooden tables with pictures and coins and crap sealed under "plastic like" stuff on the table top, this is what that is. I would recommend using this same stuff on anything wooden that you plan to keep outside year round. Call a few of your local boat dealers/repair places and I'm sure they will be able to lead you where to go for it. I'll paste a link to a PDF that helps explain what I'm talking about.

I want some really comfortable outdoor furniture?

Q. I've been looking at all sorts of home stores at all-weather patio furniture. I have found styles I like, but when I sit on them they just aren't comfortable. Or the style is awful, but seats like a nice indoor leather sofa. Anyone have outdoor furniture that just makes you saw "ahhhh" when you sit down? I use my patio after work to relax and would like an "ahhhh" style couch/love seat and a couple of chairs.

A. Those sets of plastic wicker with cushions made of weather resistant material are pretty good if you find one of good quality but the most comfortable outdoor seating I have found are those round multi position loungers. You can sleep on them. Can be found at most patio furniture stores, at least in my area. Hope you are as fortunate.

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